Ranking Every Disney Live Action Remake From Best to Worst

While Disney's live action remakes are largely disliked, there were some that I quite enjoyed and there are still some I have never seen.

From what I can tell, there have been 17 live action remakes of Disney movies created to date. When I say remakes, I am referring to the first and main movie to be remade into a live action version.

For instance, I will not be including Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in this list, as it is simply a sequel to the first Maleficent movie and does not reflect any previously released animated version.

I have based my rankings and scores on reviews I have read, discussions with close friends and my personal opinions on each film.

Please note, I started with the worst film at the bottom of this list and worked my way back up to the top. If my references to other listings I've mentioned do not make chronological sense from top to bottom, try reading in reverse. I jumped around a lot with this list, but it was a lot of fun to write!

#1 - Beauty and the Beast 2017 (8/10)

While Emma Watson cannot sing to save her life, she was an excellent leading lady to play Belle. Luke Evans makes a hilariously handsome Gaston, and he has an incredible singing voice. Dan Stevens did a great job portraying how the beast went from terrifying to loving by the conclusion of the film.

The CGI on the beast and castle staff was top-notch, the set design was stunning, and story-wise, it didn't feel like there was a single element out of place. There were some additions to the plot and soundtrack, but I didn't mind them at all.

Overall, a shining example of how it is possible to bring an animated Disney classic to life without snuffing out the magic.

#2 - Cinderella 2015 (8/10)

Beautiful, elegant, classic. I think this is the best live action version of Cinderella out there and it does stay true to the original. All I wanted after seeing this film was to wear a dazzling blue dress like this one and twirl till midnight like Ella.

#3 - Maleficent 2014 (7.5/10)

While this movie did not receive great reviews from critics, overall, audiences really liked this movie, myself included. It provides a new and heartfelt perspective to the original story without straying too far from the original plot.

Maleficent still crashes Aurora's christening, Aurora still goes off to live with the fairies, Aurora is still cursed and pricks her finger on the spinning wheel, the list goes on. It's the untold story of Maleficent that ultimately makes this film unique, and I appreciate how it is not a complete retelling but rather a peek into the original from a different angle.

And Angelina Jolie was born to play Maleficent.

#4 - Alice in Wonderland 2010 (7/10)

I believe Tim Burton's vision of Alice in Wonderland from 2010 outshines the Disney's original animated version from 1951.

Like The Jungle Book, I was never all that fond of the original animated film. I found it slow-moving, boring and it was always hard for me to sit through. I guess it had a lot to do with the fact that I never felt a strong sense of urgency in either The Jungle Book or Alice in Wonderland. Both Mowgli and Alice were just kind of "wandering" through their stories. Things happened to them and around them, but they never really contributed much to their respective stories in my opinion.

But the live action remakes add urgency, tension and more of a plot, especially in the 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland. Alice is strong-willed, fearful of the world around her but also courageous, and she is inquisitive but unwilling to just go with the flow.

I love this film and wish it got a little more love from critics over the years. Maybe someday it will be considered a cult classic.

#5 - The Jungle Book 2016 (7/10)

I have never liked The Jungle Book from 1967. I always thought it was a little boring, Mowgli was annoying and I didn't appreciate the complete and utter lack of female characters, let alone leading female characters.

BUT, I did thoroughly enjoy the 2016 live action remake of The Jungle Book. Shere Khan was terrifying, the action sequences were gripping and the dynamic of the main characters was entertaining and fun to watch.

And I appreciated hearing Scarlett Johansson's voice as Kaa. Rather than coming across as goofy and non-threatening like the character was in the animated original, Johansson's Kaa was calculating and deceivingly sinister. As a giant talking python should be.

#6 - Pete's Dragon 2016 (7/10)

A predictable but fun and heartfelt live action remake. I've got no major complaints.

#7 - Lilo & Stitch 2025 (6.5/10)

***Spoiler Alert***

I have not yet seen this film, but I have come up with a ranking for it on this list based on mixed critic and audience reviews I've read.

While I reserve judgement until I watch it, I am shocked the ending of the film changed the way it did, and I am not the only fan of the original Lilo & Stitch who feels that way. I guess Disney's changed its tune on the concept of "ohana" meaning "family."

#8 - Aladdin 2019 (6/10)

Not terrible, but this will never compare to the original. Robin Williams will forever be Genie, sorry Will Smith.

#9 - The Little Mermaid 2023 (6/10)

I've seen this film multiple times, and honestly, each time I watch it, I enjoy it less and less.

While Halle Bailey is an exceptional singer and captures the inquisitive, fearless and kind-hearted nature of Ariel, her talent could not save this film from being a jumbled mess of a plot that is trying too hard to resonate with audiences.

#10 - 101 Dalmations 1996 (5/10)

I always found Disney's animated 101 Dalmations from 1961 a little boring, so I never really felt the need to see this live action remake. Based on the reviews I've read though, there's really no reason to.

While I almost included Cruella from 2021 on this list instead, I don't really think it qualifies as a 101 Dalmations "remake," it's more of a prequel. We'll see if there will ever be a Cruella 2 to wrap up the story.

#11 - Mulan 2020 (5/10)

I remember being very excited to see this film, and then the reviews emerged: Visually appealing but devoid of emotion, more of a war epic than a fun Disney film, a remake of an animated classic masquerading as a feminist win.

I never did end up seeing it, not sure if I ever will. But I love the original Mulan from 1998 and will give this film the benefit of the doubt for now. I will update my review if I ever do end up watching it.

#12 - The Lion King 2019 (5/10)

I had to put this film pretty far down on my list unfortunately as it was one of the biggest let downs I experienced when it came to seeing a live action remake I was actually very excited about.

The Lion King from 1994 is one of Disney's most popular and critically acclaimed animated movies ever created. While the live action remake from 2019 gave it an honest try, it did not breathe new life into the story of The Lion King whatsoever.

The humorous, emotional and powerful spirit of the 1994 animated film cannot be re-created, and this attempt at a successful live action remake marked a turning point in Disney. The beginning of the end.

#13 - Peter Pan & Wendy 2023 (4/10)

Just...why?

There have been so many Peter Pan remakes over the years, and this one doesn't hold a candle to them. If you're looking for a well-done live action version of Peter Pan, check out the one from 2003 directed by P.J. Hogan. It is so much better and actually captures the playful, wonderous nature of the original from 1953.

#14 - Dumbo 2019 (4/10)

The original Dumbo from 1941 did not age well for multiple reasons, so I can understand the need to take the story in a new direction, but the chosen path just didn't deliver. I give Tim Burton credit for his vision, but I enjoy his retelling of Alice in Wonderland so much more.

#15 - Lady and the Tramp 2019 (3/10)

While I never saw this film, I never really lost sleep over it. Critics gave it mediocre scores at best, and audiences were even harsher. I'm just not a huge fan of live action remakes of classic animated films that focus on non-human characters. The use of CGI to bring them to life never really works.

What we are left with are strange, so-clearly-fake creatures moving around on the big screen our brains will never let us believe are real or feeling.

#16 - Pinocchio 2022 (2/10)

I don't know about you, but I didn't realize just how many different versions and remakes of Pinocchio there have been. From studios around the world, there have been at least 4o different versions of "Pinnochio," created in some form or another over the years.

This one however was despised by critics and audiences alike for its soulless retelling of a story that was intended to ignite the soul.

My advice? Let your conscience guide you away from this 2022 disaster and help you discover the 1940 original instead.

#17 - Snow White 2025 (-1000/10)

I consider myself a calm, reasonable person. While I wasn't overly excited about a live action version of Snow White given Disney's track record with live action remakes, I was willing to give it a chance. After all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is what put Disney on the map.

But then I started reading and hearing about the vile things Rachel Zegler had to say about the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 1937, Disney's decision to animate the seven dwarfs rather than cast actors with dwarfism, the removal of a Prince Charming from the story to be replaced with a sheepish bandit that had little to no chemistry with Snow White's character and an overall trainwreck of a movie that dishonored the legacy of a timeless Disney classic.

Nice work, Disney.

***Author's Note***

I did end up watching this film when it came out on Disney+ (I had to see for myself the extent of the damage done to a Disney classic). Honestly, it was even worse than I expected.

Disney...this needs to be a wake up call. Please, please, PLEASE start listening to audiences and fans. Stop cutting creative corners and taking the magic out of new Disney films. And above all, if a leading actor or actress destroys the reputation of a new film before it's even released, kick them off the project.

Rachel Zegler's attitude and disrespect for the original film she demonstarted during interviews and sneak-peeks prior to the release of Snow White disgusted prospective audiences all over the world. I'm sure I'm not the only one who watched this film with a permanent scowl on my face. Every time Rachel appeared on the screen, I didn't see the sweet, kind-hearted Snow White. All I saw was an ungrateful, snobby and entitled young actress with no love for the character or story she was chosen to represent.

I know it sounds harsh, but that is my honest opinion. Rachel has tarnished her reputation as an actress before her career ever really got off the ground. I hope she reflects on this experience and learns from it, and I hope Disney does the same.